The 2016 Dixie Classic Fair Draws 280,067

Winston-Salem, N.C. (October 12, 2016) — Triad-area residents decided to get their “Ticket to Homegrown Fun” in 2016! The Dixie Classic Fair, the second largest agricultural Fair in North Carolina, today announced that this year’s event was attended 280,067 people.

Attendance for this year’s Dixie Classic Fair drew more than 26,000 attendees than in 2015. This year’s event, which was affected by weather during two days of the 10-day event, due to Hurricane Matthew showed a decrease in attendance of 7.7 percent over the Fair’s five-year average. The Dixie Classic Fair, over the past five years, averaged approximately 302,000 attendees.

While the weather did affect overall attendance figures, the 2016 Fair did have strong attendance during days not affected by weather. Attendance for the first seven days of the Dixie Classic Fair was 218,000, above the Fair’s five-year average, and Sunday, October 9 nearly set a record, with nearly 60,000 Fair fans attending.

Special promotions for this year’s Fair also proved to resonate, with attendees showing strong support for the City of Winston-Salem/107.5 WKZL Unlimited Ride Discount Days, the Winston-Salem Journal’s Family Days at the Fair, and the Crisis Control Day at the Fair, which offered free admission to those who brought five items of non-perishable food. The promotion broke last year’s record collection and raised more than 81,000 cans of food for Crisis Control Ministry’s Food Pantry.

“We are very pleased with the turnout for the 2016 Dixie Classic Fair,” said David Sparks, director of the Dixie Classic Fair. “While Hurricane Matthew was certainly a factor over the last weekend, I think the attendance figures for non-weather affected days show that the Dixie Classic Fair’s unique mix of rides, entertainment, food, fun and tradition is as popular as ever in our area. We are happy to have been able to provide more lasting memories to attendees this year and are already looking forward to another great Dixie Classic Fair in 2017.”

The 2016 Dixie Classic Fair featured the best in food, rides, games and fun. Midway entertainment, including rides and games, were once again provided by James E. Strates Shows. Musical entertainment at Fair’s Grandstand included Country music artists Jordan Rager and Drew Baldridge, classic R&B artists Motown Sounds of Touch, and Contemporary Christian act The Passion Band featuring Kristian Stanfill. Music lovers were also treated to daily performances by local artists at the Triad Area Chevy Dealers Clock Tower Stage, while fans at the Grandstand were thrilled by the Demolition Derby, Figure 8 Racing and the Rodeo.

Additionally, the Dixie Classic Fair provided the area’s best competitive exhibitions. More than 28,000 entries were received in 2016, competing for more than $225,000 in prize money in dozens of departments and hundreds of categories, including horticulture, livestock, culinary, wine and arts and crafts. Winners received First, Second and Third Place ribbons as well as Judges’ Choice Awards for the best among First Place winners in a category.

The 2017 Dixie Classic Fair will be held September 29 – October 8, 2017. For more information, please visit www.dcfair.com.

About The Dixie Classic Fair

Celebrating its 134th year in 2016, the Dixie Classic Fair is the second largest agricultural Fair in North Carolina. Owned and operated by the City of Winston-Salem after being donated to the City by the Winston-Salem Foundation in 1969, the 10-day annual Fair features nationally known musical entertainment, delicious food and beverages, exhibits for livestock, poultry, fine arts and crafts, a world-class carnival with numerous rides and games among many more activities. It is attended by an average of 302,000 visitors each year. For more information on the Dixie Classic Fair, please visit www.DCFair.com.